About the disease

Meningococcal disease is an acute bacterial infection that can cause death within hours if not recognised and treated in time.

In Australia there are 5 main strains of the disease, all of which now have vaccinations available from your doctor. *Note that the C-strain vaccine available through Australia’s free National Immunisation Program (for children 12 months of age) does NOT protect against all strains of the disease.

Although the majority of victims will recover fully, 10% of those infected will die, and around 20% will have permanent disabilities -- ranging from learning difficulties, sight and hearing problems, to liver and kidney failure, loss of fingers, toes and limbs and scarring caused by skin grafts.

Meningitis & septicaemia

One of the reasons meningococcal disease is hard to identify is that it can appear in several different forms, depending on which part of the body the bacteria invade: meningitis (affecting the brain and spinal cord) or septicaemia (affecting the blood), or a combination of both.

Meningococcal meningitis

Meningitis is inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

There are many different forms of meningitis -- fungal, viral and bacterial. Bacterial meningitis, also called meningococcal disease, is the most serious form.

Symptoms may include a severe headache, fever, fatigue, stiff or painful neck, sensitivity to light or convulsions.

Meningococcal meningitis can result in permanent disabilities – such as deafness or brain injury – and can in some cases cause death.

Meningococcal septicaemia (blood poisoning)

This is the most dangerous and deadly type of meningococcal disease.

It happens when the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply uncontrollably, damaging the walls of the blood vessels and causing bleeding into the skin (which results in the distinctive rash).

Septicaemia can lead to death within hours, or permanent disabilities such as severe scarring due to skin grafts and amputation of the fingers, toes, arms or legs – due to lack of blood circulation in the extremities of the body.

Who's at risk

Meningococcal disease can strike babies, children and adults – anywhere, at any time. Those most at risk are:

Babies and children up to the age of 5 years – this group accounts for two thirds of cases (due to their less mature immune system and tendency to put things in their mouth and share food, drink and toys).

Teenagers and young adults from 15 to 24 years – primarily because of the socially interactive lifestyle they lead, which is more likely to involve intimate activities such as kissing and sharing drinks.

Winter and early spring are higher risk times, because the many viruses around can weaken the body’s natural immune system. There is also the risk of catching a virus first, followed a few days later by a meningococcal infection, making the illness much harder to identify.

How is it spread?

Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria (not by a virus), and transmitted via mucus. Meningococcal bacteria can live harmlessly in our throat and nose. Around 20% percent of people will be carrying these bacteria at any one time without ever becoming ill (‘healthy carriers’). In fact, all of us will carry them at some stage in our lives. There are many different strains of meningococcus – since the C-vaccine was introduced, the most common in Australia is now B.

The bacteria are spread by activities such as sneezing, coughing, intimate kissing, and sharing food or drinks. Environments where people are in close contact, such as day-care centres, school camps, parties and nightclubs, make it easier for the bacteria to spread. At nightclubs, there’s a risky combination of crowding, smoking, kissing, sharing drinks and shouting above the noise, which can disperse tiny droplets into the air that can be breathed in by someone close by.

However the bacteria only live for a short time outside the body – and even if you pick them up, it doesn’t mean you’ll become ill. The danger only occurs if you pick up a strain you’re not immunised against, or don’t have any natural immunity to — or if your immune system has for some reason become weakened and cannot cope.

Signs & symptoms

Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency. It can kill within hours, so early diagnosis and treatment is vital. Do not wait for the purple rash to appear as that is a critical stage of the disease. Be aware there are two different sets of symptoms, depending on whether it takes the form of meningitis or septicaemia (blood poisoning). A high fever is usually one of the symptoms.

Common symptoms

Meningitis only

Septicaemia only

fever (which may not go down with medication)

nausea or vomiting

lack of energy

tiredness or drowsiness

confusion or disorientation

dizziness

irritability or agitation

a sore throat

backache

stiff or painful neck

sensitivity to light

twitching or convulsions

fever with cold hands and feet

cold shivers

pain in muscles or joints

pain in chest or abdomen

pale, grey or blotchy skin

rapid breathing

diarrhoea

a rash, which may start off as a spot, scratch mark or blister, as a faint pink rash or as red or purple pinpricks on the skin, then develop into the distinctive purple bruising.

Symptoms in babies and young children may include irritability, difficulty walking or lethargy, refusal to eat, a high pitched cry, and a bulging fonteanelle (soft spot on the top of the head).

Distinctive rash

The distinctive meningococcal rash (indicating bleeding into the skin) can be a critical symptom of deadly septicaemia, along with a high fever. The rash may start with a simple spot or blister anywhere on the body, then may progress quickly to red pinpricks like small mosquito bites, and/or spread quickly into purple bruise like blotches. It’s important not to wait until a rash appears before seeking treatment, as the meningococcal rash signifies a critical stage of the disease.

Treatment

Get urgent medical advice from your doctor or hospital if you are in any way concerned that you or someone you know is presenting symptoms consistent with meningococcal disease

If still in doubt or the disease progresses return to the doctor or hospital or seek an urgent second opinion.

If the rash appears, in conjunction with other symptoms such as a high fever, call an ambulance for urgent treatment.

In cases where meningococcal disease is suspected, it is recommended that antibiotic treatment be started before the diagnosis is confirmed by tests.

Vaccination

While it’s advisable to practice good hygiene to minimise the spread of bacteria causing disease, and to avoid sharing drink bottles, food, toothbrushes, mouthguards and lip gloss, the only truly effective way to prevent meningococcal disease is vaccination.

In Australia there are now vaccines available for each of the 5 main strains of the disease:

Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine protects against meningococcal group C disease. It is recommended for all children at the age of 12 months (as part of the free National Immunisation Program). It is also suitable for teenagers and adults. Contact your GP for more information.

Meningococcal B now has a vaccine launched in Australia March 2014 which is available by private script from your doctor. This vaccine is not yet subsidised by the Government. For infants, the vaccine is given in four doses – at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months of age. For children over 12 months, teenagers and adults, the vaccine is given in two doses approximately 2 months apart (for the precise timing, check with your GP). Possible side effects are a mild to moderate fever (as well as a sore arm), so your doctor may recommend giving paracetamol at the same time to babies and children under 5.

Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is a combination vaccine and protects against groups A, C, Y and W. See your doctor for advice as this is generally recommended when travelling overseas to certain areas. This vaccine is not subsidised by the Government.